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There will also be four members of staff on site with students brought to the centre by taxi or public transport and attending two to four days a week.

A planning statement adds: "The proposed change of use from a residential care home for children with disabilities to a therapeutic school for children with complex needs, although different in provision, maintains the ethos of the site which has been to provide support to vulnerable young people in Sunderland.

"Staff will be on site at all times when students are present, and will ensure relations between the school and the local community remain positive."

A statement on the Hopespring charity website also outlines the type of support on offer for young people.